Tinubu's Wife Unveils ₦2bn Lifeline for Akwete Weavers to Revive Indigenous Textile Industry

Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a ₦2 billion intervention to support the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Abia State, in a move aimed at revitalising the centuries-old indigenous textile industry and improving the livelihoods of local artisans.

The funding, unveiled during her first visit to the historic weaving community on Tuesday, is expected to strengthen production, preserve the cultural heritage of Akwete weaving and create more economic opportunities for women and young people involved in the craft.

Addressing members of the cooperative, the First Lady commended the weavers for preserving the tradition across generations and urged Nigerians to embrace locally made fabrics as a way of sustaining indigenous industries.

She also expressed admiration for the quality of Akwete fabric, describing it as soft and breathable, and said she would proudly wear an Akwete wrapper and buba if President Bola Tinubu secures a second term in office.

Oluremi Tinubu explained that her visit was intended to interact directly with the women behind the renowned weaving tradition, noting that she had long looked forward to visiting the community.

She praised Abia State Governor Alex Otti for his support and reaffirmed the importance of investing in local industries that preserve Nigeria's cultural identity while boosting rural economic development.

The First Lady concluded by encouraging Nigerians to patronise indigenous textiles, stressing that increased demand for locally produced fabrics would help sustain traditional craftsmanship and strengthen the country's creative economy.